Skip To Main Content

Niagara University Athletics

Curran
3
Niagara NIA 0-2-2
3
Rensselaer RPIMH 0-3-1
Niagara NIA
0-2-2
3
Final
3
Rensselaer RPIMH
0-3-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 OT 1 F
Niagara NIA 0 2 1 0 3
Rensselaer RPIMH 0 1 2 0 3

Game Recap: Men's Ice Hockey |

Curran's Equalizer Gives Niagara 3-3 Tie At RPI

TROY, N.Y. – The Niagara power play continued its hot start to the 2016-17 season, and that was a major factor in the Purple Eagles' non-conference opener at RPI. Johnny Curran scored a pair of goals, a power-play tally in the second period and the game-tying goal with 3:14 left in regulation, to help Niagara to a 3-3 tie Friday night at the Houston Field House.
 
The Purple Eagles went 2-for-9 on the man advantage against an RPI penalty kill that was a perfect 17-for-17 entering the contest. Jackson Teichroeb returned to the net and made 38 saves on 41 RPI shots, including four key stops in overtime and nine saves on 10 RPI power-play shots.
 
Game Summary  
Game Recap
  • Each side had plenty of scoring chances in the first period, with the shots on goal favoring the Engineers 11-9. Jackson Teichroeb made three saves in a 30-second flurry by RPI to close the period.
  • Niagara had three power-play chances in the first 20 minutes. That gave the Purple Eagles plenty of chances to get on the board, but RPI's Chase Perry kept the score sheet clean.
  • The Purple Eagles scored the first goal of the game for the third time in four games this season. On the power play, Ryan Kuhn corralled the puck in the high slot, finding Derian Plouffe to the right of the goal. Plouffe roofed a shot over Perry for the 1-0 lead at the 11:05 mark of the second period.
  • Just 38 seconds later, RPI's Evan Tironese tied the game at one. However, Niagara scored its second power-play tally of the evening 57 seconds after that. Plouffe, again setting up with the puck on the right wing, fed the pass across the slot to Johnny Curran for a one-timer past Perry.
  • The Engineers reclaimed the lead late in the third period, putting the Purple Eagles in a 3-2 deficit with just over five minutes to play.
  • Lou Nanne tied the game for RPI just 1:44 into the third period. On the power play, Jared Wilson launched a shot from the blue line straight on the net, and it sailed over Teichroeb's right shoulder to give the Engineers the 3-2 lead.
  • With 3:14 to play, however, it was Curran who came up with the game-tying goal. An RPI defender floated an errant behind-the-back pass just inside their blue line. The pass set up a perfect one-time opportunity for Curran, and he lasered a slap shot over the shoulder of Perry for the final goal of the evening.
  • Shots on goal were even at four apiece during the overtime period, with Perry and Teichroeb combining to make all eight saves.
 
Coach's Corner
  • Head coach David Burkholder: "We are making progress as a team. Tonight was a solid 65-minute effort by our guys. We did a great job on both special teams, and got great goaltending from Jackson."
 
Inside the Numbers
  • Niagara finished the night 2-for-9 on the man advantage, giving the team five power-play goals through four contests, with at least one power-play goal in each game. For the season, the Niagara power play is now 5-for-29 (17.2 percent). The Purple Eagles' two power-play goals were the first scored against RPI in five games this year.
  • Jackson Teichroeb's 38 saves were his most in one game since stopping 42 pucks at Air Force on Jan. 22, 2015. They were also the most by a Niagara goaltender in a game this season.
  • Johnny Curran scored multiple points for the first time in his Niagara career. He is the fifth current Niagara player to score two goals in a game as a Purple Eagle, joining Vinny Muto, Stephen Pietrobon, Derian Plouffe, and TJ Sarcona. All five have one multiple-goal game, and Niagara is 3-0-2 in those contests.
  • Curran now leads Niagara with three goals and a plus-3 rating in the 2016-17 campaign. He is tied for the team lead with three points, joining Plouffe and Kris Spriggs (1+2) and Noah Delmas (0+3).
  • Tyler Hayes joined fellow rookie defenseman Noah Delmas as the two Purple Eagles to score two assists in a game this season.
  • Niagara won more faceoffs than their opponent for the fourth time in four games this season, going 42-for-77 in the circle (.545 percentage). Plouffe led the way with 15 wins on 25 draws.
  • The Purple Eagles tied a season-high with 16 blocked shots, matching their total from both games against Holy Cross on Oct. 7 and Oct. 8. Tyler Hayes led the way with four blocks, and he has a team-high 11 through four games.
 
Up Next
  • Niagara's stretch of three road games in five days wraps up on Saturday afternoon with a 4 p.m. matchup at Union. The Dutchmen enter Saturday's game coming off a 5-2 win over the RIT Tigers on Friday night.
 
Defend Dwyer Arena
  • The Purple Eagles return to Dwyer Arena next weekend, hosting the No. 19 Ohio State Buckeyes on Friday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Oct. 29. Both games will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster, by phone at (716) 286-TIXX (8499), or in person at the Dwyer Arena box office.
 
Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter @NUPurpleEagles and for hockey updates, follow @NiagaraUHockey. Check in with the Purple Eagles on Facebook.com/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEagles.
 
Print Friendly Version